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1997 Oldsmobile 88Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 101 owner complaints about the 1997 Oldsmobile 88, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

46
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.2× the 88 median · #3 of 14 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints10122 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage62kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 14, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Oldsmobile 88 has problems

101 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling2710
Electrical system142
Power train120
Service brakes, hydraulic111
Fuel system, gasoline81
Visibility81
Seat belts60
Suspension60
Air bags53
9 other systems162

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

1997 Oldsmobile 88 recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other 88 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 88 median. How we score

'67'68'71'72'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Oldsmobile 88, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA02030 · closed Mar 9, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-090
In owners' words

What 88 owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WE WERE NOTICING LEAKS FROM THE CAR ON THE DRIVEWAY. WE KNEW FROM TOUCHING IT WAS NOT OIL. THE CAR STARTED TO HESITATE AT TIMES AND FEEL LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL OUT. EVENTUALLY IT DID STALL OUT AND CONTINUED TO DO SO, IT ALWAYS STARTED RIGHT UP THOUGH, SO WE KNEW IT WASN'T THE…
Complaint 10402922 · May 27, 2011 · 85,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE LSS. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT WAS STARTED. AS HE OPENED THE HOOD, HE NOTICED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HE USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE AIR INTAKE AND DEVICE ON THE ENGINE…
Complaint 10324520 · Apr 8, 2010 · 90,000 miles
WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE (PLASTIC) MANIFOLD ON OUR 1997 OLDS 88 THREE TIMES IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS CAR (WHILE RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUE FOR SIMILAR DEFECTS ON SIMILAR CARS). WE HAVE SPENT OVER $2000 GETTING THIS…
Complaint 10243103 · Sep 22, 2008

Own a 1997 88?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.